Professional Riders
Many current and former professional riders have taken part in the last two editions of the Alpes Open Tour. Among these have been:
Bernard Thévenet, Jean-Christophe Péraud, Mathieu Perget, Patrice Halgand, Sylvain Calzati, Nicolas Portal, Davide Vigano, David Moncoutié, Mickaël Buffaz, Freddy Bichot, Ludovic Turpin, Thierry Hupond, Rémi Cusin, and others.
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Riding with the Yellow Jersey! David Moncoutié rides alongside a group of Alpes Open Tour participants on the first stage of the 2011 edition to Les Saisies ski station. The Cofidis rider proudly wore the yellow jersey he had won the previous day at the Tour de l'Ain! Moncoutié left for Spain the following day to take part in the Vuelta.
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This week of training after the Tour de l'Ain is just perfect. I've taken part in the Alpes Open Tour for the last two years. I put in some hard efforts, especially on the Madeleine and the col du Pré, and then enjoyed my outing with the front group of amateurs who were moving at a very respectable pace. |
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Friendly chats. Whether during the day on the bike or over a cup of tea at the hotel in the evening, Nicolas Portal (now a team manager at Team Sky) offers advice and shares his experiences with the participants of the Alpes Open Tour. |
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Cycling can be exceptionally demanding and it has the power to make you humble. The way professionals approach and practice the discipline is certainly different to amateurs but the mutual respect goes very deep indeed. |
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A moment of reflection. Davide Vigano seems deep in thought at the summit of the Col du Galibier. The former Quick Step rider came from nearby Italy to join the Alpes Open Tour. After a few days of rain, he confessed that he was "amazed at the determination of the participants" none of whom were going to let the rain stop them from finishing each stage. |
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This week has been very mentally refreshing for me. |
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